I've interviewed 22 Scotland's Home of the Year contestants, and this is what I've learnt

Last year, I interviewed almost a dozen contestants, and it’s been the same in 2026. I have very much enjoyed the ride. There’s nothing more fun than chatting to folk about their beloved homes. Here are a few things that I’ve learnt over the last couple of months.

1 In almost every SHOTY family, there appears to be a yin-yang relationship between one visionary and another practical person who makes the dream come alive. This is in contrast to my household, where we both have ideas, but zero skills to realise them. Even changing a light bulb is a trial that can take weeks. I don’t even know where my nearest Homebase is located. Still, after interviewing SHOTY people, it seems that they watch a lot of YouTube videos to transform themselves into self-styled Handy Andys. They can rip up floors and knock down walls like human wrecking balls.

2 Contestants have really got to know their spaces before decorating. I interviewed Janey, who owns the 200-year-old Ayr property that appeared in episode four of this year’s series. After moving in, her family waited for months to watch how the seasonal light moved around the house, before deciding on warm or cool colours to suit. It turns out that it’s not as easy as just slapping on a Farrow & Ball dupe and praying for the best.

3 Everyone loves the judge Banjo Beale, who has used the phrase “rumpus room” more than once this series, but they most respect the thoughts of Anna Campbell-Jones, since she’s the OG who’s appeared on the series since the beginning in 2019. It stands to reason that she’s the one wielding the Sharpie when they squeakily tot up their scores at the end of each episode. I think they need to replace it though, as the ink seems to be fading. Anyway, none of my interviewees have said their preferred judge is architect Danny, which is an oversight. He’s MY favourite, as he has the best hair and 1940s trousers.

4 Not all of the contestants approached SHOTY. In a few cases, they were head-hunted, after the production team spotted their Instagram home makeover accounts. That includes contestant Wendy H Gilmour (@wendyhgilmour) and the two Marks - Strachan and Cunningham (@homewiththemarks).

5 Most people’s favourite spot, as marked by the SHOTY red heart, is the sofa. That was the choice of the finalist owners of Granny’s House near Gatehouse of Fleet, which appeared on episode five, South. The same for Wendy H Gilmour of Kilmacolm, who constructed her own giant 12-seater sofa (as you do). They’re not unique. It’s always either there, in the kitchen, or on the bed. Humans are just like dogs, when it comes to favourite spots. Nobody puts their heart in the home office. Or the loo. That’d be weird, but funny. I’d put mine on the cistern.

6 Although about half of the people I interviewed were coincidentally going on holiday when their episode of the show was being screened, the remainder were throwing a watch party with neighbours, family and pals. There was only one contestant who had no telly, and that was Melanie Jeeves, whose Isle of Whithorn house appeared on the show. She’d never even seen the programme before. It was a friend who’d made her apply. She said that the production team was going to send her a “video” of the show. Does anyone still have a VHS player?

7 Sometimes you just need a confidence boosting “wow” from somebody random, and, before you know it, you’ve applied to appear on the programme. For Diane Adamson of The Schoolhouse in Fife, that reaction came from the gas man, when he saw her fancy open-plan kitchen.

8 Nobody ever scores less than an eight. If I was a judge on the show, I’d be handing out fours and fives, just to assert my authority. I’d be the Simon Cowell equivalent.

9 If you don’t have a rolltop bath, a wood-burning stove, and 470 cushions on your bed/sofa, then you’re nobody in the SHOTY world.

10 They say that Millenial grey - the shade that was huge in the 2010s - is hugely unfashionable. However, talking to SHOTY contestants and watching the series, has proved that the trend has not died, and that it’s okay if you like a little bit of grey. There was plenty of it in their homes including Kin Cottage and the Fordell house in another episode. Don’t worry, Banjo isn’t going to come and arrest you for crimes against home decor, if you slap a bit of Elephant’s Breath on your rumpus room walls.

11 All the contestants have told me that there are rooms that are off limits when the team arrives for filming. You may think that they have perfect homes, without a used tissue, dust bunny or two-month-old-birthday-card in sight. However, there’s always a utility room or office that’s filled with Amazon boxes, drying socks and other detritus. They’re only human.

12 Homes can be hobbies. I doubt anyone on SHOTY is a golfer or plays padel. There is no time when you’ve got wallpapering and rawlplugging to do.

13 Your home is your castle, but it’s also your Sistine Chapel. Unleash that creativity.

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